Tate's Birth Book

I have yet to write out my birth story (and really hope to soon!), but in the meantime this book we made for Tate to read someday does a nice job of outlining some of what occurred on that amazing day. I made this so that we could start the tradition of reading it to Tate on his birthday every year...I imagine him asking questions and adding his own thoughts as the years pass. It's just a little something to honor him so he knows how loved he is and was, from the day he was born!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Bump Watch: 37, 38, 39 & 40 Weeks

This is the LAST 'Bump Watch' post you're going to get from me.  For some reason, that makes me a little sad!  Not sad enough to cry, though I do a lot of happy crying lately...  It's just that I LOVED being pregnant with my little TaterMan and am already looking forward to carrying a little sister or brother for him someday.  Yes, you read that right: I also LOVE being a mom!  I'm going to guess I have a very, very well-behaved newborn (hint: I totally DO) because it hasn't scared me off at all from doing this all over again.  Tate is amazing and I'm having such an incredible time getting to know him and developing a routine that works for us all.  And while I hesitate to say this out loud, I'm also getting enough sleep.  So...yeah.  I know it's early and I've only been at this gig for two weeks, but I'm just going to appreciate every blessing now and not worry about what routine-busting surprises might be yet ahead.  That being said, I'm going to hurry on to the belly pics before the Karma God reads this and decides to turn Tate into a cute little hellion! ;o)


Week 37: 

I was really getting puffy by this point!

And YES, I was excited to finally be considered 'full term' and at the safe & ready point, can you tell?

Week 38: 

Mark probably won't like that I'm putting a picture up of him that was taken as he was getting changed after his work day, but I thought it was important to include the ever-important daddy and 'Bump Watch' photographer in ONE of these posts!  I love him so...

Hello, double chin.  I don't miss you one bit (OR the 24 of the 30 total pounds I've lost since Tate was born - woo hoooo!!)!

Large and in charge!

Week 39:

These pictures were taken in the middle of the night on the day Tate was born...I'll share my birth story eventually, but it started when my water broke at 2:30am on 9/15/10 on the 1st day of my 39th week.   

You can bet your hiney I made Mark stop rushing about to capture my last TRUE belly pics. I was SO EXCITED, you guys.  

Just a little contraction; nothing to see here, folks! The contractions started around 3:30am - it was a pretty fast progression!

Here's one without the belly numbers for posterity.  I already miss that belly a little!  

Week 40:  

These are by far my favorite of all the belly pictures...because Tate was finally here!!

I cannot get enough of this little guy...

He looks hungry here, huh?  NOM NOM.

Sneak peek of the nursery!  I'll upload more nursery pics soon, but thought you deserved to see SOMETHING since I totally meant to show you some before I had the baby. 

I'll be back soon and will attempt posting a few photos a week until I can sit down and properly post again.  In the meantime, I hope life is treating you well - I certainly can say this is true for me...  :o)

I Picked You Up and Everything Changed...

Today is my due date - the day I waited patiently and excitedly to come for almost ten months. I say almost because it turns out I didn't have to wait that long.  A week ago, on September 15, 2010 at 2:30am, my water broke in my sleep and what followed was the most amazing, emotionally and physically-enduring day of my life.  And at 10:45pm, my life changed forever when my beautiful boy took his first breath and took my breath away.  I'm so exceedingly proud to introduce you to him now!

~Tate Doty Burton~

Born Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 at 10:45pm

7lbs 2.4oz, 18.5 inches

and PERFECT

Tate is a very happy, content baby and Mark and I are having such an incredible time getting to know this little person we made with love.  We're not sure what we did to deserve him, but we sure are glad we did.  It's hard to imagine life without him; thank God we don't have to now.

This proud mama will be back with the birth story, the last belly pics, and photos of the nursery.  In the meantime, though, I'll be off enjoying every minute with my little man.  He makes me happier than I've ever been in my very happy life, and I don't want to miss a thing.